Expression of mRNA of GATA-3 and T-bet in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic asthmatics / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the expression of Th2 cytokines are up-regulated in the atopic asthma. The study was to investigate the expression of transcription factors, such as GATA-3, c-maf, T-bet which are known to be involved in the T cell differentiation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of atopic asthmatics. METHODS: PBMCs were obtained from non-atopic controls and atopic asthmatics and cultured for 48 hours, and then 12-o-tetracanoylphorbol-13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore (ionomycin) were added. mRNA of GATA-3, c-maf, T-bet, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-gamma were measured by RT-PCR RESULTS: mRNAs of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were expressed higher in the atopic asthmatics, and that of Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma was expressed higher in the non-atopic controls. GATA-3 and c-maf were expressed higher and T-bet was expressed lower in the atopic asthmatics. Expressions of GATA-3, c-maf and T-bet were not changed with the stimulation of PMA/Ionomycin. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that GATA-3, c-maf and T-bet participate in the Th2 type inflammation in atopic asthmatics, like GATA-3 and c-maf as stimulatory factors, and T-bet as inhibitory factor.